Present and correct - Santos lauds Portugal's Russia 2018 'gift'

Portugal were left playing catch-up from matchday one in Group B but overcame Switzerland 2-0 to pip their rivals to a spot at Russia 2018.

Published

10 October 2017

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos thanked his players for securing the "gift" of World Cup qualification.

The European champions headed into their final qualifier in Lisbon three points shy of opponents Switzerland, who overcame them in the Group B opener in Basle last September.

Both teams won every qualifier between that match and Tuesday's decisive showdown, where a Johan Djourou own goal and Andre Silva's 57th-minute strike ensured Portugal progressed to Russia 2018 on goal difference.

"I always thought it was possible," Santos told reporters afterwards. "I had confidence in my players and luckily they gave me this gift.

"When you have quality and organisation you are always closer to winning. This team came back to play very well, with good ball control.

"Not all of the 90 minutes were perfect but fortunately we won and we are in Russia."